The Coalition to Repeal the 8th Amendment says the vote is "an important step forward".

Ailbhe Smyth, convenor of the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment, said: "Tonight's vote follows on from powerful medical evidence at the Oireachtas Committee hearings earlier today and last week.

"The committee has heard from medical and legal experts, who have highlighted how unworkable the Eighth Amendment is and the grave damage it has caused.

"It is time to remove from our Constitution a clause that has caused so much suffering and misery."

"8th amendment is unworkable"

Earlier, the committee was told not to underestimate the anger of women who have to travel abroad for an abortion.

The comment came from Dr Peter Boylan, who says the amendment is unworkable in Ireland 2017.

Dr Boylan is the chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

He says doctors are concerned about women's health.

"I wish to suggest that in 2017, the 8th amendment is unworkable.

"When it was enacted 34 years ago, neither the worldwide web nor the abortion pill had been invented.

"The genie is therefore 'out of the bottle' in respect of online access to the abortion pill.

"The grave concern that we doctors have as a consequence of this reality is a potential for harm, caused by the use of unregulated medication".

The committee has met for the first time since two pro-life members threatened to withdraw from it.